CAMPBELL, John, second duke of Argyle, and also duke of Greenwich and baron of Chatham, son to the subject of the preceding article, was born on the 10th of October 1680; and, on the very day when his grandfather suffered at Edinburgh, fell out of a window three pairs of stairs high without receiving any hurt. At the age of 15, he had made a considerable progress in classical learning. His father then perceived and encouraged his military disposition, and introduced him to King William, who appointed him to the command of a regiment. In this situation he remained till the death of his father in 1703; when becoming duke of Argyle, he was soon after sworn of Queen Anne's privy council, made captain of the Scotch horse guards, and appointed one of the extraordinary lords of session. In 1704, her majesty's reviving the Scottish order of the Thistle, his grace was installed one of the Knights of that order, and was soon after appointed high-commissioner to the Scotch parliament; where, being of great service in promoting the intended union, he was on his return created a peer of England, by the titles of baron of Chatham and earl of Greenwich, and in 1710 was made knight of the Garter. His grace first distinguished himself in his military capacity at the battle of Oudenarde; where he commanded as brigadier-general, with all the bravery of youth and the conduct of a veteran officer. He was present under the duke of Marlborough at the siege of Ghent, and took possession of the town. He had also a considerable share in the victory obtained over the French at the battle of
Campbell Malplaquet, by dislodging them from the wood of Sart, and gaining a post of great consequence. In this sharp engagement, several musket-balls passed through the duke's clothes, hat, and peruke. Soon after this hot action, he was sent to take the command in Spain; and after the reduction of Port Mahon, he returned to England. His grace having now a seat in the house of lords, he censured the measures of the ministry with such freedom, that all his places were disposed of to other noblemen: but at the accession of George I. he recovered his influence. At the breaking out of the rebellion in 1715, he was made commander in chief of his majesty's forces in North Britain; and was the principal means and cause of the total extinction, at that time, of the rebellion in Scotland, without much bloodshed. In direct opposition to him, or that part of the army he commanded, at the head of all his Campbells was placed Campbell earl of Braidalbin, of the same family and kindred, by some fatal error that ever misguided and misled that unhappy family of the Stuarts and all its adherents. The consequence was, that both sets of Campbells, from family affection, refused to strike a stroke, and retired out of the battle. He arrived at London March 6th 1716, and was in high favour: but, to the surprise of people of all ranks, he was in a few months divested of all his employments; and from this period to the year 1718, he signalized himself in a civil capacity, by his uncorrupted patriotism and manly eloquence. In the beginning of the year 1719, he was again admitted into favour, appointed lord-steward of the household, and in April following was created duke of Greenwich. He continued in the administration during all the remaining part of that reign; and, after his late majesty's accession, till April 1740; when he delivered a speech with such warmth, that the ministry being highly offended, he was again dismissed from his employments. To these, however, on the change of the ministry, he was soon restored; but not approving of the measures of the new ministry more than those of the old, he gave up all his posts for the last time, and never after engaged in affairs of state. He now enjoyed privacy and retirement; and died of a paralytic disorder on the 4th of October 1743. To the memory of his grace a very noble monument was erected in Westminster-Abbey, executed by the ingenious Roubilliac.
The duke of Argyle, though never first minister, was a very able statesman and politician, most steadily fixed in those principles he believed to be right, and not to be shaken or changed. His delicacy and honour were so great, that it hurt him to be even suspected; witness that application said to be made to him by one of the adherents of the Stuart family before the last rebellion in order to gain his interest, which was considerable both in Scotland and England. He immediately sent the letter to the secretary of state; and it vexed him much even to have an application made him, lest any person should think him capable of acting a double part. When he thought measures wrong or corrupt, he cared not who was the author, however great or powerful he might be; witness his boldly attacking the great duke of Marlborough in the house of lords, about his forage and army contracts in Flanders, in the very zenith of his power and popularity.
Campbell popularity, though in all other respects he was the most able general of his time. The duke of Argyle on all occasions spoke well, with a firm, manly, and noble eloquence; and seems to deserve the character given of him by Pope:
Argyle the state's whole thunder born to wield,
And shake alike the senate and the field.
In private life, the duke's conduct was highly exemplary. He was an affectionate husband and an indulgent master. He seldom parted with his servants till age had rendered them incapable of their employments; and then he made provision for their subsistence. He was liberal to the poor, and particularly to persons of merit in distress: but though he was ready to patronize deserving persons, he was extremely cautious not to deceive any by lavish promises or leading them to form vain expectations. He was a strict economist, and paid his tradesmen punctually every month; and though he maintained the dignity of his rank, he took care that no part of his income should be wasted in empty pomp or unnecessary expences. He was twice married, and left five daughters, but no male issue. The titles of duke and earl of Greenwich and baron of Chatham became extinct at his death; but in his other titles he was succeeded by his brother Archibald earl of Isla, the subject of the next article.